Species
Paspalum vaginatum
Etymology
Paspalum: The Greek name for millet
Common Name(s)
saltwater paspalum
Authority
Paspalum vaginatum Sw.
Family
Poaceae
Flora Category
Vascular - Exotic
PASVAG
The
National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
Structural Class
Grasses
Habitat
Aquatic: Emergent. Found in brackish water around the margins of river mouths and estuaries
Features
Decumbent perennial grass with long creeping stolons. Leaf-blade up to 8 cm x 2 mm, rather stiff and much narrower than the sheath. Culm up to about 20 cm tall, panicle consisting of 2 spreading racemes.
Similar Taxa
Not immediately obvious as paspalum, but close inspection reveals characteristic seed-heads. Can be separated from other paspalum species by the inflorescence of 2 racemes, the long spikelets (2.5-4.5 mm) and the upper glume glabrous (P. distichum has minutely appressed pubescence on upper glume). It is also the most salt-tolerant so location is important.
Year Naturalised
1855
Origin
Europe
Reason For Introduction
Agricultural
Reproduction
Spreads vegetatively by stolons and by seed.
Seed
Seeds are produced.
Dispersal
Sand movement.
Tolerances
Grows in marginal saline habitats.
This page last updated on 26 Mar 2010